World Economic and Financial Surveys

World Economic Outlook Database

The World Economic Outlook (WEO) database contains selected
macroeconomic data series from the statistical appendix of the
World Economic Outlook report, which presents the IMF staff's
analysis and projections of economic developments at the global level, in
major country groups and in many individual countries. The WEO is
released in April and September/October each year.

Use this database to find data on national accounts, inflation,
unemployment rates, balance of payments, fiscal indicators, trade for
countries and country groups (aggregates), and
commodity prices whose data are reported by the IMF.

Data are available from 1980 to the present, and projections are
given for the next two years. Additionally, medium-term projections
are available for selected indicators. For some countries, data are
incomplete or unavailable for certain years.

Changes to the October 2013 Database

On July 31, 2013, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released the Comprehensive Revision of the National Income and Product Accounts (NIPA). The revision includes improvements in methodology and data sources as well as significant changes in definitions and classifications. With this update, the accounts more accurately portray the evolution of the economy. Most notably, expenditures on research and development activities and for the creation of entertainment, literary, and artistic originals are now treated as capital expenditures. Furthermore, the treatment of defined-benefit pension plans is switched from a cash basis to an accrual basis. The revisions increase the level of GDP by 3.4 percent and boost the personal savings rate. The revised data also show that the Great Recession was shallower and the recovery was stronger through the first half of 2012, but also that cyclical weakness was greater during the past year. Overall, the revision does not significantly change the IMF staff’s broad view on the U.S. economic outlook.

Starting with the
July 2013 WEO Update, India's data and forecasts are presented on a fiscal year basis.

On July 1, 2013, Croatia became the 28th member state of the European Union.

Projections for Cyprus, which were excluded in April 2013 due to the crisis, are once again included.

Zambia redenominated its currency by replacing 1,000 old Zambian kwacha notes with 1 new Zambian kwa¬cha note. Local currency data for Zambia are expressed in the new currency starting with the October 2013 WEO database.

Starting with the October 2013 WEO, the Value of oil imports (TMGO) and Value of oil exports (TXGO) countries’ data will no longer be available in the external WEO Database.